Week of May 27th, 2013

An orange grower in Florida is not exactly celebrating high orange prices.

ABC Family launches "The Fosters," a drama about a family with two moms, one biological son, two adopted foster kids, and a newcomer.

Plenty of disgruntled workers have discovered Someecards.com — a funny greeting card site where snarky messages express everything you're thinking, but would never say aloud. The card's

Social Security funds will dry up in 2033. So what does this mean for the chronically unworried, like say, Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame? He debuted in 1954, will turn 59 in November. Seven years shy of retirement age, Neuman can still expect to collect his full social security payments for 13 years, but what happens after that? You might not know it, but an estimated 8 in 10 woman wear the wrong bra size. So underwear stalwart Jockey spent eight years developing the solution: a $60 bra that comes in 55 sizes. On the coasts, we find out how hurrican season will affect your morning orange juice.

Lebron James and the Miami Heat are fighting to get back to the NBA Finals. But the Eastern Conference championship series will also be noteworthy for its playoff T-shirts.

Oprah can vouch for it: an estimated 8 in 10 women wear the wrong bra size. So underwear stalwart Jockey spent eight years developing the solution: a $60 bra that comes in 55 sizes.

Americans retirees are drawn to Costa Rica's biodiversity, political stability, and cheap health care.

Social Security trust funds will dry up in 2033. So what does this mean for the chronically unworried, like say, Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame? He will turn 59 in November — seven years shy of retirement age.

The Weekly Wrap covers the ups and downs of the past week in economic news.

If you’re not at home, you’re likely at work.  Or vice versa.  So, we’re paying close attention to how the housing market is doing and ways to make workplace relationships healthier. First, mortgage interest rates rose from historic lows this week and that’s giving some home shoppers pause in their decision to purchase. Should a few percentage points matter? And how has home buying changed in recent years? The paperwork hasn’t gotten any less complicated, that’s for sure. Now onto the office: Is it true you need to be a self-serving, aggressive employee to get ahead at work? There’s new research about givers and takers on the job. Also, how do you handle a mean, moody boss or an inappropriately dressed coworker? Maybe send them a snarky e-card and they’ll get the message. The co-founders of Someecards.com talk about laughing away workplace woes.

Clashing personalities at the office can lead to some uncomfortable — even toxic — work environments. What can be done about a colleague who's too loud? A moody boss? Here's some sage advice for how to handle your awkward office lives.

Recently, the housing market has been making headlines for making a historic recovery. New home sales, existing home sales and pending sales are all up. But so are mortgage interest rates as of this week. That's not so good, but should it make shoppers reconsider buying a home?

In February, then March, Americans spent more money than the month before. But today there's news that consumer spending dropped a tenth percent in April.

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Summer concert season kicks off and that means dollar signs for music industry. And is there such a thing as banking in the public interest?

Samsung has chosen to use Intel chips in one of their tablet devices, marking the chipmaker's first major foray into the mobile arena.

QE2. Quantitative easing or an asteroid?

This weekend, attendees of the Public Banking Conference in San Rafael, California will gather to re-think the global banking system. They hope to spread a time-tested financial idea from North Dakota.

Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson takes New York City's new bike share program for a spin.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company plans to triple the size of its charging stations network.

European unemployment hit a new record high in April. 12.2 percent, or about 20 million people, across the 17 countries that use the euro are out of work.

Lawmakers revive a public comment campaign, with a modern-day twist.

The summer concert tour season is under way. How important financially are these tours for bands?

What does it mean for Latin American economies to have the U.S. and China competing to sign trade deals?

The U.S. and China go head-to-head for Latin America’s attention — and business. As euro zone unemployment hits a new record high of 12.2 percent, protestors gather in front of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. And politicians looking to overhaul the U.S. tax code take a lesson from the 1980s.

Great news: turns out you don't have to be an aggressive, self-serving, manipulative employee to get ahead at work! New research shows that "givers," people who do favors for others, are some of the most successful people at the office.

You may have heard that New York City has a brand new bike share program. Some New Yorkers have of course worried about crowding the streets…and putting tourists, of all people, behind the controls of a complex machine. But similar programs in cities like Montreal, Boston, and Washington D.C. have been hailed as successes. So we set out to check the tech of these bikes with the help of Ted Mann, who reports on transportation for the Wall Street Journal. He had a fancy key — which riders need unless they’re swiping their credit card.

Pakistan desperately needs a solution to their failing electrical grid. Does the new Prime Minister have the answers?

Wheat farmers in the Pacific Northwest wait for more news on unapproved genetically engineered wheat discovered in Oregon.

Students may want to think twice about working for free: interns who get paid are almost twice as likely as their unpaid counterparts to get a job offer when they graduate.

A map of where our Twitter followers said their clothes were made.

Private equity group KKR has nabbed David Petraeus for his global Rolodex. In the age of Microsoft Outlook and smartphones, does anyone really use a Rolodex anymore?

The boom in U.S. oil production has disrupted global oil’s pecking order and caused fractures inside the once all-powerful OPEC.

The recession lays claim to something else: a distorted perception of what a normal benchmark should be. Case in point: Mortgage rates at 4 percent. Also, we look at internships at the start of summer. What’s the benefit of taking an internship for college credit? Quite a lot, actually. Across the world, we take a another walk down the Street of Eternal Happiness.

A box of letters traced back to the Street of Eternal Happiness reveals one family's struggle after the Mao revolution. The husband was jailed for practicing capitalism. His wife was left behind to take care of their seven children.

Motorola CEO has announced that the company will revamp its line of gadgets and manufacture devices in the U.S.

Associated Press reporter Jack Gillum discusses his investigation of ammonium nitrate facilities around the country and why authorities are hesitant to release location information.

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1.5 trillion calories disappear. Latin American art rakes in millions at auction. And Newsweek is on the auction block again.

Latin American art has been selling briskly at Sotheby's and Christie's auctions this month. What's drawing all the money and attention?

With signs of vigor returning to the real estate market, it's easy to miss the other reality: Many people got stuck with terrible mortgages during the boom years and the Obama administration says they still need help.

Which country has the highest economic growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region? It's not China, but the Philippines, which grew at a surprising rate of 7.8 percent last quarter.

Media mogul Barry Diller, who runs Newsweek’s parent company IAC/Interactive Corp., says buying the publication was a mistake and is exploring a sale.

Internet cafes equipped with computer games resembling casino games have popped up across Ohio. Now there's a bill to cap winnings and ban the practice.

The go-to manual for print media turns 60 this year.

Walmart employees and other low-wage workers hope the spotlight on U.S. companies in Bangladesh galvanizes support for their campaigns at home.

The timber industry is challenging the sustainable forestry certification of the LEED green-building program state by state.

While the debate continues over domestic use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S., Germany is considering using drones to stop graffiti artists in their tracks.

While the debate continues over domestic use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the U.S., Germany is considering using drones to stop graffiti artists in their tracks. And which computer sounds are on their way out and which are on their way in?

Which country has the highest economic growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region? It’s not China, but The Philippines, which grew at a surprising rate of 7.8 percent last quarter. Lawmakers in North Carolina consider a bill to ban certiain LEED environmental certifications on public projects. And will the factory collapse in Bangladesh help U.S. labor unions organize support? 

In 2010, 16 food and beverage companies promised to reduce calories as part of the First Lady’s Partnership for a Healthier America. Two years later, how have they done?

The Justice Department shut down online currency exchange, Liberty Reserve. For one business, that could mean bad news.

In what would be the largest Chinese takeover of an American company, Shuanghui  is proposing to buy Smithfield, a giant pork producer. What’s in it for each side? On the web, Facebook has gotten slack for putting offensive content next to advertisements. Is this the peril of targeting advertising? Plus, Freakonomics is back. Up this time? Driverless cars.

Apple has picked the former EPA chief to head environmental efforts. But will it work?

Facebook apologizes for offensive content and advertisers have pulled out. How can advertisers really know where their ads are going?

In what would be the largest Chinese takeover of an American company, Shuanghui proposes a $4.7 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork producer.

Hello, I would like some advice. I have been with my present employer for 11 years and have felt for some time that it is time for a change. My conundrum/opportunity is that I'm not certain about my next steps, whether I want to continue doing the same/similar work, or make a major (life) change. Consequently, I am thinking about resigning, taking a month or so to do a cross-country road trip and visit old friends and places I have wanted to for some time, and taking the time and mental freedom to really think of my next job, what I want out of my life, etc. After my road trip, I am thinking of volunteering with a company/NGO doing work which interests me in order to get a better understanding of future possibilities. I am a single 41 year old woman (with no dependents save my dog), have about $85,000 in my 401(k) savings, and an additional $20,000 in savings. Am incredibly fortunate in that I have no debts. Thank you.

Employers often search social media sites to learn more about job applicants. But some companies prefer to avert their eyes.

Freakonomics takes a ride in a driverless car and looks at how they'll change technology on the outside.

A new report from Pew shows that moms are now the primary breadwinnner in 40% of U.S. households, but not all super-moms are created equal.

Cuts to government-funded child development programs leave parents scrambling to find child care.

A growing chorus of women's rights groups called on advertisers to boycott the site for allowing content that promoted sexism and violence towards women.

Is the era of super-low mortgages over? Tornado victims worry first response donations won't cover long-term needs. And, as drought lowers the Colorado River, conserving water gains urgency.

An Japanese company enrages conservationists for selling dog treats made from the meat of endangered fin whales.

The value of the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is down, amid signs the U.S. economy is gathering strength. The yield is up to 2.14 percent, and 30-year mortgage rates are inching close to 4 percent, the highest in a year.

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I had four life changing events happen over a lifetime which kept me either deferred or paying minimum payments. I have paid $30k on a$18 k loan and still owe $5k. I am 63 years old. I have a grand total of $44k saved — $5k in a roth and 39k in an ira. I am deferred yet again. I am NOT going to pay another dime… but am told I will have my wages garnished. What is crazy is this debt isn't even mine. It is a parent plus. What are they going to do follow me to the graveyard and demand payment from my heirs?

Last week's tornado in Moore, Oklahoma could cost insurance companies $3.5 billion, according to Risk Management Solutions.

Despite some movement in Congress to alter the trajectory of what you might consider an incoming personal finance missile, interest rates on some government backed student loans are set to double on July 1.

The number of unemployed Germans rose more than four times what analysts had expected in May. Still Europe's largest economy held onto its jobless rate of 6.9 percent — lower than the majority of euro zone countries.

The Feds have accused Liberty Reserve of moving $6 billion for criminals involved in credit card fraud and Ponzi schemes by converting cash to virtual currency.

It'll listen to the bag popping in the microwave and algorithmically tell you exactly when to take it out.

In some cases, a dearth of infrastructure can actually lead to innovation. No where is this more true than in the developing world.

How should the U.S. government and companies protect themselves against hackers? One answer is to hack right back.

As the publishing industry comes together at BookExpo America in New York, e-books are all the rage. How are smaller stores hanging on so well?

A new study from the Pew Research Center finds that four-in-ten families have mothers who are the primary or sole earner.

Mighty Germany gets a wake up call about jobs. Booksellers and publishers gather  in New York City for the biggest publishing event in North America — BookExpo. Even in the face of fierce digital competition from giants Amazon and Apple, independent retailers aren’t buckling. And what’s next for federal student loan rates?

Ever heard of Internet blimps? Google may be working on a program to deliver wireless Internet to Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia with the help of high-altitude inflatables. In some cases, a lack of infrastructure can actually allow for innovation. We talk to Dayo Olopade, who is writing a book on this topic called ‘The Bright Continent: How African Ideas Are Changing the World’. She says in some African countries, the lack of banking options has led to an explosion of mobile payments, where money moves easily from cellphone to cellphone.

40 million people depend on the Colorado for drinking water. 15 percent of the nation's food supply comes from fields irrigated by it.

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Why Australia is happy and booming.

We want to know how finances have caused conflict in your life.

The solution to garment industry worker abuses could lay in the hands of an unexpected retailer.

The meme that voices the economic frustrations of Millennials.

Cable company CNN has a new partner in cat videos and GIFs. What's the benefit?

The Justice Department has indicted seven people involved with the online-payment system Liberty Reserve, accusing them of allegedly laundering $6 billion for the criminal underworld. What risk does the crackdown pose for Bitcoin?

 The U.S. has indicted an online payment system for allegedly laundering $6 billion for the criminal underworld. What does that mean for other digital currencies? Also, the Case Schiller Index is up again in the biggest rise since 2006. Is it really good news? Plus, hear about the almost exclusively African American site that advertisers are flocking to. 

Many economists say the housing uptick is solid and could give the recovery a needed boost. But some urge caution.

As New York rolls out its bike-share program, it's also been pushing the case that bikes are good for local businesses. But is it as good as the city claims?

Catch up on the Marketplace stories that caught our managing editor's ear last week.

Two dozen U.S. military weapons systems have been compromised by Chinese hackers, according to the Washington Post.

McDonald's looks to slim down…its menu. Stock markets are still up in May. And why doesn't the MLB want baseball to be part of the Olympics?

Juli Niemann, analyst at Smith Moore & Company, tells us why she hopes the stock market goes down this week.

Morgan Stanley is moving its showcase of Asian hedge funds to New York after the event was cancelled in Shanghai last week due to concerns over bird flu, according to Bloomberg News.

Better Place, a company that aimed to solve the notorious electric car driving range problem, is going bust.

Residents of California's Central Valley are trying to stop a high-speed rail system that would connect San Francisco to Los Angeles from cutting through their land.